[bolt-action]

My 13 year old daughter had the exact same problem when she advanced to shooting a 12 gauge. 50 shots would put a bruise on her cheek. We had the stock fit by a gunsmith, but the problem still existed. On the advice of another female (who had also suffered from this same issue), we discovered what was causing the bruising and also how to stop it.

When properly mounting the gun, the cheek/stock weld was tight enough that every time the gun recoiled, it literally jerked her cheek backward. This trauma was the cause of the bruising. (The stock was not "slapping" her in the face as the fit was correct.) It was the quick movement of the gun to the rear pulling on her cheek that was the problem.

When told this, I was not convinced. But the remedy was very simple and inexpensive so we gave it a try. We went to Rite-Aid and bought a small jar of cocoa butter with vitamin e (approximately $4.00). My daughter puts a liberal amount on her right cheek before shooting. This lubricates her cheek/stock weld and allows the gun to recoil and "slide" on her cheek instead of "jerking" her cheek. The bruising immediately stopped. Within 6 weeks of trying this, she was shooting 200 rounds per day with no bruising.

The cocoa butter can be wiped off of the gun stock at the end of the day with no adverse effects. My daughter is 15 now, and will not shoot without it on her cheek. I would definitely recommend giving it a try.